(Audio Sermon Clip) Pray, Pray, Pray
John Piper passionately teaches that prayer is a divine command, a source of joy, and a staggering privilege through which God sovereignly causes things to happen.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer in the Christian life, highlighting the need for believers to pray for one another for healing, to pray without ceasing, to pray to avoid temptation, and to pray continually without losing heart. It explores the reasons why we pray, including being obedient to God's commands, experiencing increased joy, and recognizing the staggering privilege of communicating with the sovereign God of the universe.
Full Transcript
James 5 16 this is God tell us to pray pray for one another that you may be healed how many sicknesses are there in the church because they don't pray for each other that God would be willing to heal 1st Thessalonians 5 17 pray without ceasing Luke 22 40 pray that you may not enter into temptation that you may not enter into temptation Luke 18 1 he told them a parable to the effect that they always to pray and not lose heart Luke 6 28 bless those who curse you pray for those who abuse you in a rotten situation get ripped off being lied about pray pray pray for them Matthew 6 9 pray like this our Father in heaven that's number one we pray because dozens of times in the Bible we're told to pray and God loves us he wouldn't tell us to do something that's bad for us it's good for us number two we pray because it is a means to the increase of our joy you might think well that's what we expect you to say but you expect me to say it because I'm a Christian hedonist but the case is I'm a Christian hedonist because of text like this that blew me away 35 years ago John 16 24 until now Jesus said you have asked nothing in my name ask and you will receive that your joy may be full I mean ask ask because in coming to me as a needy person and depending upon me for everything you need your joy will be fuller than if you try to get that need met another way he wants you happy in him and he says ask and your joy will be full number three for why we pray because it is simply a staggeringly awesome privilege it is simply a staggeringly awesome privilege now you've got to think of this we just we just must be blown away by this God runs the world with infinite wisdom you and I never inform him of anything he doesn't already know we never add to his wisdom ever when we pray we do not improve upon his knowledge about what he should do next really basic this is who God is Romans 1134 who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor or who has ever given a gift to him that he should be repaid for from him and through him and to him are all things to him be glory forever nobody ever counseled him nobody ever gave anything to him that he already own we are never obliging God to act out of his need for us he doesn't need us he doesn't need your prayer he doesn't need anything about you he's God that's the meaning of God no needs we have needs he's the need meter and how the need meter gets glory is by hearing the prayers of the needy and it's simply staggering that God would ordain now get this that God the sovereign ruler of the universe would ordain that prayers cause prayer prayers cause things to happen that would not happen if you didn't pray for the Calvinist out there listen to this when James 4 to says you do not have because you do not ask that does not mean you would have anyway even if you didn't ask I got a plan the verse doesn't mean the opposite of what it says it says you have not because you ask not that means prayer causes things to happen that wouldn't happen if you didn't pray this is why this is a staggeringly glorious privilege to be taken by the sovereign God of the universe who runs all things according to his infinite wisdom and fold it in to his causality this is breathtaking if you do not avail yourself of the privilege of bringing to pass events in the universe that would not take place if you didn't pray you are acting like a colossal fool
Sermon Outline
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I
- God commands us to pray for one another for healing and spiritual strength
- Prayer is a biblical mandate repeated throughout Scripture
- Lack of prayer leads to sickness and weakness in the church
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II
- Prayer is a means to increase our joy by depending on God
- Jesus promises that asking in His name will fill our joy
- Christian hedonism values prayer as a pathway to joy
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III
- Prayer is a staggering privilege granted by God's sovereign wisdom
- God does not need our prayers but ordains them to cause real effects
- Prayer causes things to happen that would not happen otherwise
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IV
- Ignoring prayer is foolish because it withholds God's ordained means of change
- God’s sovereignty includes ordaining prayer as a cause in the universe
- Believers must avail themselves of this privilege to participate in God’s work
Key Quotes
“We pray because dozens of times in the Bible we're told to pray and God loves us; He wouldn't tell us to do something that's bad for us.” — John Piper
“Prayer is simply a staggeringly awesome privilege ordained by the sovereign God of the universe.” — John Piper
“Prayer causes things to happen that would not happen if you didn't pray.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Commit to praying regularly and fervently for others in the church to foster healing and unity.
- Approach prayer as a joyful privilege that deepens your dependence on God and fills your heart with joy.
- Recognize prayer as a powerful means ordained by God to effect change in your life and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God command us to pray?
God commands prayer because it is good for us, strengthens the church, and aligns us with His sovereign will.
How does prayer increase our joy?
Prayer increases joy by fostering dependence on God, who promises that asking in Jesus' name will make our joy full.
Does God need our prayers?
No, God is sovereign and all-knowing; He does not need our prayers but ordains them to accomplish His purposes.
Can prayer really change outcomes?
Yes, prayer causes things to happen that would not occur if we did not pray, demonstrating God's sovereign use of prayer.
What happens if we neglect prayer?
Neglecting prayer is foolish because it means missing out on the divine privilege to participate in God's work and blessing.